This Town is Going to Pot—Literally

John Locher and John Rogers, AP | August 10, 2017

One of the nation’s largest cannabis companies bought an entire town in the deserts of California. American Green Inc. announced that it is purchasing all 80 acres of Nipton, Calif., and plans to turn the town into a commercial oasis centered around marijuana.
The town currently includes an Old West–style hotel, a few homes, an RV park, and a coffee shop. Fewer than two dozen residents live there.
American Green Inc. plans to make the town “green” in more ways than just one. The firm says it will transform the area into “an energy-independent, cannabis-friendly hospitality destination.” It plans to expand an existing solar farm that provides much of the energy for the town, and bottle and sell cannabis-infused water. It’s also contacting edibles manufacturers and other pot-industry businesses to try to get them to relocate to Nipton.
“The cannabis revolution that’s going on here in the U.S. has the power to completely revitalize communities in the same way gold did during the 19th century,” says David Gwyther, American Green’s president and CEO. “We are excited to lead the charge for a true Green Rush.”
The town was listed for $5 million last year, but the current owners would not disclose what the sales price was. The sale is still in escrow.